FINANCIAL pressure at Cheshire County Council means families may have to fork out to send their children to school.

Three months ago the council agreed in principle to introduce a charging scheme for transport to the county's church aided schools from September 2007.

Now parents, schools and other groups are being asked for their views.

Up to 20 voluntary aided or voluntary controlled primary and high schools across Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich will be affected by the consultation which mean parents could have to pay £50 a term per child towards school buses.

According to Clr David Rowlands, executive member for children's services, the council is faced with a difficult financial situation and officers are warning that in the current financial year there is further pressure on the transport budget.

He said: "In 2005/06 the county council had a total mainstream transport budget of around £8million for its 13,000 pupils.

"Of this, £2million related to transport for 2,680 children to faith schools.

"The proposed charge is estimated to produce £265,000 towards that bill.

"When special needs transport is taken into account, the total budget is almost £16.5 million."

He added: "Our home to school transport budget has been under constant pressure for several years, mainly due to rising contract prices and we have increased resources by almost £5million since 2002 - an extra 43 per cent - to cope accordingly."

Where the church school serves the local community, exemptions will apply and children already attending church aided primary, infant, junior and secondary schools will continue to be exempt from charges while they remain there.

The consultation period continues until August 15 and comments can be made online at www.cheshire.gov.uk or a consultation form can be requested by ringing 0845 113 3311.